Dermot Whelan says Storehouse gig 'a no-brainer'

Republic of Telly host Dermot Whelan delves a little into the unknown with tonight’s From the Storehouse with Dermot Whelan on RTÉ Two at 9.55pm.

On the eve of Arthur’s Day, Whelan hosts a show that mixes chat and tunes and which could prove to be a calling-card for the TV presenter if he fancies going down the chat show host route.

“I've never really seen myself as a chat show host, I have to admit,” he says, before offering a very solid reason why. “I don't tend to find celebrities that interesting! And how Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late segues beautifully between child pageant stars, a tragic life story and music from a Chinese choir, I will never know.”

But Whelan is excited about tonight’s show, as the heavyweight line-up features actor Chris O’Dowd, chef Dylan McGrath and Donegal GAA’s Jim McGuinness as well as music from The Script, Kodaline and Bobby Womack.

“This show from the Storehouse caught my interest because I've great admiration for the guests on it,” says Whelan. “They're all from very different walks of life but are all successful people with a story to tell."

And Whelan has a story of his own to tell. “Chris [O’Dowd] is the only guest I've met before," he recalls.

"We went to a stag together a few years back, which ended with the two of us making up songs about wasps at 4am on a boat.

“I really believe the Arthur Guinness Projects are a great initiative and I'm a firm supporter of anything that supports the arts in general.

"Plus, I'm a huge Irish music fan and it doesn't get much better than The Script and Kodaline at the moment.

“Throw in a legend like Bobby Womack and it has to be a cracking night. In fairness, great guests, world class bands and it all takes place in a brewery? A bit of a no-brainer really...”

From the Storehouse with Dermot Whelan is on tonight (Wednesday Sept 25) on RTÉ Two at 9.55pm.

You can also watch From the Storehouse with Dermot Whelan live worldwide on the RTÉ Player, with an exclusive Script performance after the live show.

RTÉ.ie is the website of Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Ireland's National Public Service Broadcaster.
RTÉ is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. Images courtesy of Inpho.ie and Getty Images